Project Hope for the Homeless planning shelter addition to address demand for family services

Officials with Project Hope for the Homeless have approved architectural plans to eventually double the number of beds available at the homeless shelter in Painesville Township.

The privately funded expansion was recently approved by board members and network members of the Ecumenical Shelter Network of Lake County, which operates Project Hope, to build a 5,200-square-feet addition to the existing shelter facility at 25 Freedom Road.

The addition is set to be completed by the beginning of 2014.

Judy Burr, executive director of the Ecumenical Shelter of Network of Lake County, cited an increased demand for services especially by families with children.

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She said an average of 776 calls placed to 211 of Lake County annually from 2010 through 2012 were turned away because of full capacity.

"Even with rapid re-housing and subsidies, demand remains at the front end of the continuum for emergency care," Burr said. "We need to be equipped to meet the needs of more people with more serious barriers."

The addition will provide space for an extra 35 beds, bringing the total to 70.

Burr said that an increase in capacity would be done incrementally to allow time for development.

"One of our most important goals is to lessen the wait time for emergency shelter in the county," she said. "As we work to accomplish this, we must also do it in a way that makes sense and does not compromise our level of service to guests."

The privately funded, utilitarian design also will include a separate family center with three family bedrooms to provide privacy and safety for children and parents, Burr said.

It also will have a study room for school-age children, an indoor family common area, an updated kitchen and shelter common area, a separate women's dormitory for security and privacy, a fenced and secure children's playground, a receiving room, additional storage for in-kind goods and private offices for client consultation.

"Project Hope had been serving about 20 children every year until the recession hit, and the numbers have almost quadrupled since that time," Burr said.

"The number of children in emergency shelter has risen 248 percent in the last four years."

A team comprised of community and construction field leaders met regularly to create a plan design and build the project and to discuss the needs of the current homeless population.

"The design/build team took great care in the development of the plans for this space," Burr said. "It will be cost-effective, energy-efficient, and built to accommodate only what is needed for growth."

The Ecumenical Shelter Network has also formed Building on a Strong Foundation -- a capital campaign to raise the financial support needed to complete the project.

To learn more about Project Hope, the capital campaign or how to donate, visit www.projecthopeonline.org or call 440-354-6417.